An alleged top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Mindanao is killed in a brief clash with government troops on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, according to the military, which also identified the fatality as Aprecia Alvarez Rosete, alias Bambam. | PHOTO: 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — An alleged top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Mindanao was killed in a brief clash with government troops in Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday, the military said.
Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, identified the NPA leader as Aprecia Alvarez Rosete, alias Bambam. According to the military, she was the secretary of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP.
Viray said Army men were conducting combat operations when they encountered around four NPA guerrillas in Malagalad village of Dumingag town at around 4 a.m. on February 27, triggering a firefight that lasted for about 10 minutes.
The armed group withdrew, leaving Rosete behind, he added.
There were no casualties on the government side, the military reported.
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Brig. Gen. Elmer Suderio, commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said the operation was launched based on reports from residents in the village about sightings of NPA rebels.
He added that they also had an encounter with the same group last February 22 in Bagumbayan village of nearby Sergio Osmeña town, Zamboanga del Norte.
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Rosete had more than 30 standing warrants of arrest, mostly for alleged rebellion, extortion, murder, and arson, according to Suderio.
Lt. Col. Terrence Ylanan, commanding officer of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion, said they are now trying to locate Rosete’s family in Agusan del Sur province.
“We will ensure that Aprecia’s remains are handled with respect and returned to her family,” Ylanan said.